Business leaders weigh economic impact of same-sex marriages

As the state waits for the Arkansas Supreme Court to decide if it will issue a stay on the distribution of same-sex marriage licenses, only two counties, Washington and Pulaski, continue to grant those licenses to same-sex couples.

In Fayetteville, the economic impact of those same-sex marriages is expected to see some growth.

"Clearly same sex marriage -- if it were approved in Arkansas -- would have an economic impact because there would be more weddings, so there would be money spent in that way," said Steve Clark, president of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce.

But Clark also said the impact a favorable ruling might have on other factors, like the job market, isn't as definite.

"There are no studies that say this will recruit new employees, or it will recruit new businesses, or it will be a stimulus for entrepreneurship," he said. "It is so new, we don't have an answer to that."

There are employers nationwide who offer both medical and death benefits for same-sex partners. That status is granted whether or not a same-sex couple is married.

According to equal opportunity employment laws, it is illegal for any business to ask an applicant about their sexual orientation or the gender of their partner.

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